As recovery efforts continue to trudge forward in Tempe, the city faces a long road to restoration following last week's severe microburst. The Sentry Apartments off Mill Avenue experienced some of the worst impacts, with many residents left without essential services. According to a FOX 10 Phoenix report, residents like Pablo Minchez said, "There's like water coming in through the windows. Everything is rumbling, trees are falling down." In the wake of the storm, parts of the community still bear a striking resemblance to a war zone.
Temporary relief efforts include providing daily meals for displaced residents through Friday, as stated by Jim Harms, Assistant Director of Operations with the American Red Cross. "We try to quickly get out here, to assess the damage and find out what the needs are, and then mobilize our teams and bring in what's needed at that time," Harms told FOX 10 Phoenix. Over 130 people were displaced, and Minchez highlighted the urgency of the situation, saying, "We're talking like 10, 15 buildings that got severe damage, probably, you know, two units per building. We're talking like 30 families that need to get rehoused."
In response to the catastrophe, Tempe Mayor Corey Woods declared a state of emergency, which occurred at the tail end of a wet weather weekend influenced by remnants of Hurricanes Priscilla and Raymond. According to KTAR News, Mayor Woods said during a press conference, "I have lived here for over 22 years and I’ve never seen a storm like the one we saw yesterday." The storm's impact extended to nearly 80 businesses and apartment buildings, with many losing their roofs altogether. The city is now encouraging victims to save receipts for possible future reimbursement.
Important reminder for residents and business owners affected by the storm:
— City of Tempe, AZ (@Tempegov) October 18, 2025
If you plan to apply for assistance, save every receipt and record of expenses from hotel stays and cleanup costs to repairs or lost business revenue.
Any possible reimbursement will require… pic.twitter.com/3NUnutSvyr
For those affected by the extreme weather event, the city has advised keeping a detailed record of all expenses. "If you plan to apply for assistance, save every receipt and record of expenses from hotel stays and cleanup costs to repairs or lost business revenue," the city posted to its online account. A comprehensive list of resources Tempe is offering to residents can be found on the city's X account. As community members like Minchez try to slowly piece together their lives, this documentation could be crucial in helping to seek reimbursement and aid in the recovery process.
